Ok, you had to know it was only matter of time before a divemaster stepped into this post. We are certainly not all out there molesting the marine life! Some of these examples are horrible and are making us all look like a bunch of sadistic animal abusers!
I agree with the comment to the effect that divemasters are to conduct themselves professionally and display leadership abilities. We absolutely should be setting a good example, but this holds true of any and all dive professionals, including instructors and the dive shops/resorts they work out of. Yes, some of these DM's are showing off, and some may just be plain stupid, but there is also the possibility they are doing this because they believe it's what the divers they are leading want (or even what the resort may want them to do?) Before you attack me... that doesn't condone their behaviour (or such behaviour of any diver) How about telling these divemasters (after such a dive of course) that you don't feel it necessary for them to handle the marine life? Maybe they'll take notice, which would accomplish a lot more than just bashing them here. If not, say something to the resort operator.
What I am saying is that ALL divers have a responsibility to respect the marine life. Many divers (certainly around here) do all of their post-certification dives without a divemaster along to set an example. After all, I seem to recall that it is right in the open water manual not to touch or harass the marine life. So if you are a certified diver, you are aware of this and have this responsibility as much as you do to check your own air.
I agree with the comment to the effect that divemasters are to conduct themselves professionally and display leadership abilities. We absolutely should be setting a good example, but this holds true of any and all dive professionals, including instructors and the dive shops/resorts they work out of. Yes, some of these DM's are showing off, and some may just be plain stupid, but there is also the possibility they are doing this because they believe it's what the divers they are leading want (or even what the resort may want them to do?) Before you attack me... that doesn't condone their behaviour (or such behaviour of any diver) How about telling these divemasters (after such a dive of course) that you don't feel it necessary for them to handle the marine life? Maybe they'll take notice, which would accomplish a lot more than just bashing them here. If not, say something to the resort operator.
What I am saying is that ALL divers have a responsibility to respect the marine life. Many divers (certainly around here) do all of their post-certification dives without a divemaster along to set an example. After all, I seem to recall that it is right in the open water manual not to touch or harass the marine life. So if you are a certified diver, you are aware of this and have this responsibility as much as you do to check your own air.
